Nuclear Triad

The nuclear triad describes the capability of a military to deliver nuclear warheads via bombers, in missile silos on land and submarines. Nuclear missiles based on land are often classified as Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs). Submarines may carry Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBMs) armed with nuclear warheads. The nuclear triad ensures an enemy cannot eliminate all nuclear weapons in a first strike, thus securing the retaliatory capability of the attacked state.